ILLINOIS
AROUND THE STATE
Chicago Bears still looking to piece together stadium legislation in Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker says
“The Chicago Bears are looking to piece together legislation in Illinois that might pass the General Assembly in Springfield, Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday, as the team continues to weigh whether to stay or move across the border to Indiana,” by Capitol News Illinois.
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Gov. JB Pritzker to sign Illinois abortion legislation shielding patients’ medical records
“On the fourth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down Roe v. Wade, Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday will sign the latest legislation bolstering Illinois’ status as a haven for abortion care in the Midwest,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Pritzker wants legislators to take up data centers in the fall
“Gov. JB Pritzker hopes the Legislature will tackle data center rules in the fall veto session, ranging from tax incentives to a requirement to shield other customers from the burden of increased power demands,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Gov. Pritzker is leading Chicago fundraiser for Senate candidate and rising Democratic star James Talarico
“Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is fundraising in Chicago on Wednesday night with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, ahead of the governor’s own visit to Texas on Friday to deliver remarks before the state’s Democrats,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
CHICAGO
MORE FROM CITY HALL
Mayor Johnson embraces proposal for a stand-alone city Department of Gun Violence Reduction
“Community leaders have been pressuring Chicago mayors for more than a decade to create a stand-alone city department focusing exclusively on reducing and preventing gun violence, but they now have a champion in Mayor Brandon Johnson,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Video gambling hearing ends after tensions flare between Mayor Brandon Johnson allies, opponents
“A hearing on reversing the city’s legalization of video gambling terminals ended abruptly Wednesday after protests from opponents of Mayor Brandon Johnson escalated into a call for a commissioner to resign,” by the Chicago Tribune.
City of Chicago to issue $42.5 million in grants for neighborhood projects
“The city is handing out $42.5 million in grant money to dozens of neighborhood projects. Altogether, the value of the projects is more than $148 million,” by CBS News.
Mike Quigley to make mayoral bid official with Saturday kickoff
“U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley is making his long-anticipated run for Chicago mayor official this weekend, with a campaign kickoff event scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the historic Uptown Theatre,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
FEDERAL
Cozen Currents: How Far Can Progressives Progress?
Progressives are gaining electoral momentum and shifting the Democratic Party to the left, though their success may have limits on the national stage.
From the impact of GLP-1 medications to how the Food and Drug Administration approves drugs, much of the policy debate around pharmaceuticals centers on one number: a pill’s list price.
A growing gap between the White House’s China diplomacy and Congress’s hawkish legislative agenda is emerging, with the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act likely to be where the two approaches collide. Read the Cozen Currents here.
The Beltway & Beyond: In-Conversation: Judd Kessler on Hidden Markets, Incentives & the Systems Shaping Society
Judd Kessler—author of Lucky by Design, professor at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, and a leading voice in behavioral economics—joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation on the “hidden markets” and incentives shaping modern life. Drawing on his research at the intersection of behavioral economics and real-world decision-making, they explore how “hidden markets” influence opportunity, power, leadership, and institutional outcomes across business, government, and society. Listen here.
Authors
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Rianda WentherPolicy Advisor
About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.
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